CD, Numusic Records, 2007
www.numusic.no
Numusic Records compiled “nucd#02” to showcase the varied styles of electronic music represented at their music festival. Compiled from a range of international and Norwegian artists, especially those from the immediate Stavanger area of Norway where the label resides, the mix of genres represented is varied and contrasting, representing the diversity of the artists appearing at the event.
Drawn from a range of artists, some established but mostly consisting of newcomers, “nucd#02” illustrates its diversity from the start. Opening with the melodic chimes and digitised experimental hip-hop breaks of “Trace” by Hudson Mohawke and following it with the undeniably infectious Orbital-esque rhythms of Hoh’s “We Can Work It Out”, the compilation sets the scene as an IDM compilation. It is at this point however that “Scotch Grind” from DJ Scotch Egg hits with a crazy beat onslaught and some manic C64 digital punk mayhem. This is also the point where the diversity of the compilation starts to become apparent with the swirling psychedelic haziness of “Leuchtfleuer Der Adleraugen” by Anders Gjerde and the disjointed rhythmic jazziness of “Love with You” by Daedelus. The style changes again when QRT’s “Filthpleaser” unleashes it’s pounding bass-heavy oddness and “Walk” by Killl introduces it’s weird sinewave hum and collage of weird samples to form a sort of sonic amalgam of otherwise disconnected elements. Then, just as quickly as it headed down the experimental path, it returns to more mainstream territory with the electro-pop of “Modan Garu” by Modan Garu. This is followed by the club track “Ridwan” by Elektrofant and an intriguing electronic vs heavy metal track called “Doom 2.5” by .P. Combine this with the screeching dark nightmarish ambience of the fittingly titled “Nightmares on Crack” by Trencher, the retro electro rhythms of Felix Kubin or the minimal, largely voice orientated “Le Jardin Tombe” by Eiko that closes the album and you have a truly wide variance of styles represented.
Packing as many different musical styles into their compilation as possible, Numusic succeed to presenting a collection of stylistically different tracks that, while they all have electronic influences, the vision of their respective creators is very different. Taking in everything from the darkest most disturbing ambience through broken experimental digitisation and on to brighter, more bouncy electro, “nucd#02” acts as a real teaser for Numusic events in the future. If this album is an accurate depiction of what to expect from their live events, there should be more than enough to interest electronic music enthusiasts of all tastes and backgrounds.
[7/10]
— Paul Lloyd